Method of extinguishing oil-fires.



y H. H. CULMEH. METHOD 0F EXTINGUISHING OIL FIRES` Y APPLICATION FILED AUG.16. I9I5. 1,294,776. Patented Feb.18,1919.

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HARRY H. CUL'MER, 0F INDEPENDENCE, KANSAS.

METHOD OF EXTINGUISHING OIL-FIRES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

Application led August 16, 1915. Serial No. 45,662.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY H. CULMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Independence, in the county of Montgomery and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Extinguishing Oil-Fires, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in method of extinguishing oil fires, and it has for its salient objects to provide a method of extinguishing lire which shall be capable of producing a condition in which combustion cannot take place; of producing this condition in an extremely briefl space of time, so that the re will be extinguished before it assumes the proportions of a conlagration; to` provide a method which results in producing a non-inflammable atmosphere over the surface of the liquid oil or hydrocarbon, of such character that the presence of oil gases and vapors and heated products of combustion will not defeat or seriously impair the eifectiveness of the atmosphere thus created; to provide in conjunction with the method of creating such non-inflammable atmosphere, means for automaticallyvv bringing coperative apparatus and method into effective operation upon the occurrence of a fire; to provide a method which employs materials for creating the atmosphere which are inexpensive, capable of being readily secured in the market and not detrimental to the oil or other hydrocarbon protected thereby; to provide a method characterized and distinguished from the prior art in that a non-combustible liquid capable of rapidly vaporizing and combining with hydrocarbon vapors and gases is atomized and delivered in the space immediately above and in contact with the liquid, thereby not only serving to exclude air and tending to bring about a smothering of the combustion, but at the same time rapidly bringing about a conversion of the vapors and gases within the combustion space into an atmosphere incapable of supporting combustion, and in this way ,greatly accelerating the extinction of the lire.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus in which a supply of liquid and a supply of gas under pressure are so associated, controlled and direc-ted, that the delivery of the liquid and its atomizing and conversion into vapor within the combustion space are accomplished. automatlcally by the release of a fusible link, or equivalent heat-release device; to provide an apparatus in which its automatic functioning is not dependent upon the operativeness of pumps or other complicated mechanical devices but on the contrary is characterized by extreme simplicity; and in general, to provide a simple and effective method capable of application to a wide variety of storage tanks and receptacles and a like simple apparatus for carrying the method into edect automatically, in its various applications.

I carry my invention into practical eect by creating or producing an atmosphere in the combustion space above the oil which remains combustibly inert in the presence of flaming hydrocarbon vapors and which atmosphere is not only of a combustibly-inert character as introduced, but which is also of such character as to readily permeate and mix with the hydrocarbon vapors and thus render the latter combustibly inert, so that the entire combustion space within the receptacle rapidly becomes filled with an atmosphere or mixture of gases and vapors in which combustion cannot be, and will not be, maintained.

Since my conception ofl producing such an atmosphere or condition in hydrocarbon storage receptacles, I have discovered a number of dilierent substances or materials which may be used for carrying the invention into effect.

In general these materials are liquids having low boiling points, so that they vaporize or gasify readily; are comparatively stable chemically, z. e., are inert, or practically inert, as regards aiinity for oxygen in the presence of burning hydrocarbons and have the property of readily permeating, and. more or less intimately mixing with, hydrocarbon vapors, and when so mixed of rendering these hydrocarbon gases and vapors incombustible. It will be readily seen that the extinguishment of the fire by the creation of such an atmosphere is due to the effect of a number of causes which coperate, among which those prominently present are the temperature lowering due to the vaporization of the liquid introduced; the blanketing and smothering effect due to the occupancy of the combustion space to the exclusion of the'combustible vapors and the rendering incombustible of the hydrocarbon vapors by the mixture therewith of the inert or non-oxidizable vapors and gases.

For example, the following members of the group of chlorinated compounds in liquid form, all possess the characteristics which make them suitable for carrying my invention into eect, as hereinafter more specifically described; it being noted that each of the following named chlorids is relatively high in chlorin and relatively stable, or inert as regards afhnity for oxygen, namely:

Tetra chlorethane (CZIIZCL) Penta chlorethane C21-1G15 Chloro-benzin CsCl6 Carbntetrapl/ilqrid CCL,

Of the bromin series tetra broniomethanc (CzI-IZBQ) is an example of a suitable liqu1 It will, of course, be obvious that mixtures canbe compounded of different chemicals to produce liquids having the desired characteristics.

In the use of the expression low-boiling temperature herein, I do not use this expression comparatively with the boiling point of water, but refer rather to temperatures comparable to the boiling points of the heavier oils or hydrocarbons, which it is the purpose of the system to protect.

Having set forth or outlined the general characteristics of my improvements, the invention will be more fully and definitely understood by a description of one specific and preferred Way of carrying the invention into effect; the illustrative example being accompanied by drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of an oil tank equipped with suitable appara-tus for carrying the method into eect; the roof of the tank being removed to disclose fully the arrangement of the apparatus, and certain parts of the latter being broken away to reduce the size of the drawing;

Fig. 2 is :a view partly in vertical section and partly in side elevation of the same tank and the same re extinguishing apparatus applied thereto; the roof of the oil tank being in this instance shown in place and in section;

Fig. 3 is an axial sectional view of the union located at the point where the gas and liquid mains join;

Fig. 4 is a detail in side elevation of the heat release controlling valve which controls the escape of the extinguishing fluids;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail through one of the distributing pipes at a point coincident with one of its delivery orifices and its atomizing device.

In carrying out my method I prefer to use as the liquid which is to be atomized and sprayed into the oil tank carbon tetra chlorid; this being a chemical which is now readily obtained upon the market at a moderate price, possessing a relatively low boiling point, and otherwise having characteristics making it well suited for such purpose.

I prefer to use carbon dioxid in the form of gas to force the carbon tetra chlorid through the distributing system and atomize it.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates as a whole an oil tank which is shown as partly iilled with oil 2. This tank is provided With a roof 3, which may be of any usual or suitable construction, that shown herein being conical and fully closing the top of the tank, except only for an opening 4 closed by a trap door 5, and a ventilator 6, which is roofed over to prevent ingress of rain, snow, etc. Inside the upper part of the tank I provide a suitable fluid distributing system which, as shown in the present instance, comprises a ring-shaped pipe or main 7 mounted on suitable supports at the upper periphery of the tank, as indicated at 8; a series of supply pipes 9, 9, 9, connecting the source of liquid and gas supply with a central cylindric box or chamber 10, and a second series of distributing pipes 11, 11', which extend from the chamber 10 to the distributing ring 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Suitable support for the central chamber 10 and the radial pipes connected therewith is provided by a post or standard 12, which rises from the bottom of the tank and terminates in a cap 12 on which the chamber 10 is mounted.

Outside the tank, and preferably mounted upon suitable brackets 13, which are connected with the upper ring of the tank, are pairs of containers 14 and 15; these containers being capable of conning fluids under comparatively high pressure, and preferably cylindric, as shown in the drawings. The container 14 is charged with the gas (in the present instance CO2), While the container 15 is charged/with the carbon tetra chlorid. The bottom bf the container 15 is connected with one of the pipes 9, 9', etc., through a pipe 16, and from this pipe a branch pipe 17 leads to and is connected with the upper part of the container 14. The upper part of the two containers are also connected with each other by a pipe 18, and as a preferred arrangement of these connections I connect pipes 17 and 18 and the upper part of the tank 14 together through a cross union 19. Each of the risers 2O and 21 of the containers 14 and 15, respectively, is provided with a shut-off valve 20 and 21. The T- union 22 which joins the pipes 16 and 17 is of special construction, and is shown in detail in Fig. 3. It is interiorly divided by an inclined partition 23 so as to form two passages, one a restricted passage 24 affording communication between pipes 17 and 1G, and a larger passageway 25 which forms the crass mames ExrlNouSl-isns,

communication between the two sections of pipe 16 separated by said union 22. The passage of the pipe 17 is controlled by a valve, preferably a needle valve 26, which is conveniently embodied in an angle union connecting the horizontal and vertical parts of the pipe 17.

As matters of convenience pipe 16 is provided with a shut-off valve 27, and at the upper side of the container 15 the riser 21 terminates in a covered funnel 28, the outlet of this funnel being also controlled by a valve 29. So also as a matter of convenience a pressure gage 30 is attached to the container 14.

The distributing pipe or main 7 is provided with a series of delivery openings arranged at comparatively close intervals apart and located in the inner perimeter of the pipe so as to direct the escaping liquid readily inward across the surface of the oil. In order to atomize the liquid as it is delivered, each delivery aperture 31 is controlled by a conical plug 32; these plugs conveniently taking the form of screws which extend into and diametrically across the pipe and are at their inner ends threaded into a suitable aperture in the opposite side of the pipe. By adjusting these screws inwardly or outwardly the fineness of the spray can be regulated at will. Preferably the distributing pipes 11, 11 and 11 are also provided with outlet apertures 33 similarly controlled by plugs 32, preferably the outlets of the distributing pipes are distributed farther apart.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus phase of my invention being described, means are provided for automatically releasing or turning on the liquid upon the occurrence of a fire in the tank. The preferred means comprises a gate valve, which is normally held in closed position; a fusible link for so holding the valve in its closed position, and means such as a weight for automatically opening the valve when the fusible link is released. In order that the heat of combustion may reach the fusible releasing device as promptly as possible upon the occurrence of a re, I prefer to locate the valve and its releasing mechanism as a whole in the line of draft of the heated gases in their exit from the tank. Accordingly I have shown one such valve mechanism, designated as a whole 34, as interposed in a pipe 16 and located immediately below the opening 4 controlled by the trap door 5 of the tank roof. I have shown another of these automatic valve mechanisms, designated as a whole 34', located immediately below the ventilator opening 6 and interposed in another pipe 16. The details of construction as such of these automatic valves forms no part of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, the valve 34 is of the Well-known Scully blow-olf type, comprising a split casing 35, within the chamber of which there is mounted to oscillate a cut-off valve which controls a port extending directly through the valve casing at right angles to the movement of the cut-off. The cut-ofi1 plate is mounted upon, and rigid with, a pin 36 which extends out through the casing, and upon this pin outside the casing is fixed a lever 37, the swinging end of which is weighted, as indicated at 38. The lever 37 is held up in position to hold the valve closed normally by means of a fusible link 39 connected with said lever and with an overhanging support 40 made rigid with the valve casing. The fusible link may be of any suitable construction, there being numerous forms now upon the market, and that shown consisting of two overlapping metal plates secured together by solder which fuses at a low temperature. Where a given oil tank is equipped with a plurality of sets of containers, as for example in the manner illustrated in the present drawings, I prefer to employ fusible links, controlling the several supply pipes leading to the different containers, which will fuse at different temperatures; the object being to so organize the system that the different sets of containers will discharge their contents at different intervals and in succession. When thus arranged, if the fire is extinguished by the first set of extinguishing apparatus brought into action by the fusing of its link, the remaining sets will be kept in reserve and their contents not wasted. If, on the contrary, the fire continues and the heat increases, one or more of the remaining sets will be brought into action, until the fire is extinguished.

The valve as a whole is interposed in the pipe line 16, as clearly shown in the drawings.

The operation of the `system constructed and arranged as described is substantially as follows:

The apparatus having been installed and the two containers 14 and 15 charged with carbonio acid gas and with carbon tetra chlorid, respectively; valves 20', 21' and 27 being open; valve 29 being closed, and valve 26 adjusted so as to permit a very limited iiow of gas through the pipe 17, and the several valves 34 being closed and held by fusible links, the system is ready for automatic operation. Assume that a fire is started in the oil tank by lightning or other accident, the vapors intermingled or charged with air will produce a flash which is in the nature of an explosion, thus creating a rush of heated gases of combustion out through whatever outlets or vents there may be in the upper part of the tank. That one of the fusible links which is most sensitive or is exposed to the greatest temperature, will release and the valve controlled thereby Will be opened, thus permitting the contents of the containers controlled thereby to discharge. The surface of the liquid contained in the container 15 being exposed to the pressure of the gas in container 14, the liquid Will immediately begin to flow out through the pipe 16 into the connecting pipe 9, thence into the chamber 10, and from the latter out through the several distributing pipes 11, 11', etc., to the circular distributing pipe 7 At the same time the gas from the container 14 Will ovv in limited quantities through the pipe 17 into the pipe 16 Which is discharging the liquid; the quantity of gas passing through the pipe 17 being controlled by the valve 26. The carbon dioxid thus intermingled With the escaping liquid contributes to the effectiveness of the system in several Ways: by reason of its expansive action when escaping through the distributing apertures of the pipes, it greatly facilitates the thorough atomizing of the liquid, and in its passage through the pipes to the point of escape and in escaping with the liquid itbe'comes highly charged with vapor of the chemicals containing chlorin in chemical j combination, thus contributing very materially in the production of the volume of combustibly-inert gas which it is the prime object of the apparatus to produce. The liquid and gas Will continue to floW out through various discharge openings of the distributing pipes,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing Washington, D. C.

thus readily filling the combustion space of the tank with vapors, and this vaporized liquid Will rapidly permeate and intermingle With the hydrocarbon vapors and gases of combustion already in the tank, and in this way render the entire atmosphere in the space of the tank combustibly-inert.

It Will be readily understood that the liquid employed may contain the gas, such as chlorin, either in chemical combination, in physical solution, or both in solution and in chemical combination.

I claim as my invention:

A process of extinguishing fires in petroleum oil tanks Which consists in providing in separate sources a supply of non-combustible gas under pressure and a non-combustible non-aqueous liquid of loW boiling point, forcing said liquid from its source by pressure on the surface of -the liquid derived from said supply of gas under pressure, conducting said liquid from its source to a spraying device over the surface of the oil, and injecting into said liquid during its passage from the source to said spraying device a proportion of the gas derived from said source of gas under pressure, said gas entering the upper portion of the stream of liquid in a direction substantially parallel with the flow thereof.

HARRY H.' CULMER.

Witnesses:

` E. G. INGERsoLL,

EMiLm ROSE.

the Commissioner of Patents, 

